Middle East: Iran war exposes limits of US power

# Analysis The Houthi campaign against Saudi Arabia represents a fundamental shift in regional power dynamics that challenges American military dominance in one of the world's most strategically vital areas. With Yemen's Houthis now capable of striking deep into Saudi territory with precision, the calculus of Middle Eastern security has tilted toward non-state actors and their patrons, demonstrating that even the world's most advanced military cannot guarantee protection for critical infrastructure or shipping lanes. This vulnerability has immediate economic consequences: disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea passages could trigger global oil price spikes and supply chain disruptions affecting economies worldwide. Saudi Arabia's urgent search for regional partners rather than relying solely on American military backing signals that Gulf states are hedging their strategic bets, potentially accelerating realignments that could reshape the region's geopolitical landscape for decades.